2018 In Retrospect

2018 In Retrospect

As the year comes to a close, I always try to look back and reminisce on the good, the not-so good, and everything in between. 2018 was an up and down year for me. Positive overall with a few rough patches here and there. But hey that’s life! I won’t bother you with the negative moments, but check out some of my favorite memories from the year that was.

Celebrating 10 Years

Reflections celebrated a milestone this year, turning the big 1-0! It’s hard to believe that I started this blog 10 years ago. Reflections has gone through many changes during this time. From starting on Blogger, moving to Squarespace, and moving to its new home here on WordPress this year. The blog has gone from just an after school hobby garnering a handful of views per month, to a full on publication enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in more than 20 different countries worldwide. For that, I’m forever grateful. Thank you for sticking with this opinionated guy for all this time. Here’s to the next 10 years!

Meeting Tons of New Folks

This year was full of meeting some awesome new people and making new friends. Including UNC Football players Zach Goins and Jake Lawler, N.C. State swimmer Justin Ress, N.C. State Basketball player Blake Harris, UNC Basketball players K.J. (Baby Jet) Smith and Cam Johnson, pro golfers Rickie Fowler (check the half selfie ) and Joaquin Niemann, magician Mat Franco, and The Willis Clan. Truly special moments that I’ll never forget!

Durham Bulls Go Back-To-Back

The Bulls won yet another Governor’s Cup Championship this season, going back-to-back and taking home the franchise’s 15th league title since inception. It was an incredibly fun season – which even included a Stranger Things Night – culminating in a big celebration. Here’s to a successful run in 2019!

It’s time to brag on myself a bit, too. After the conclusion of the season, our staff held our annual picnic commemorating the year. At the event, I was named Employee of the Year for my department! It was a tremendous honor that took me by surprise, given it was only my third season with the organization. I’m blessed to work with such outstanding people who brought in this socially awkward dude who didn’t know a soul from day one, like family. They showed me the ropes and made me feel like I’m at home. It’s been a blast working for the Durham Bulls and I look forward to continuing that in the future.

My Photography in a Calendar

I received the honor of one having of my photographs published in a calendar. The photo I like to call “Light at the End of the Tunnel” was selected by the N.C. State Alumni Association to be featured in its calendar for 2019. It marks the first time my photography has been recognized in this fashion so, for that, I’m very thankful.

HAM-IL-TON

The highlight of 2018 for me was when I got to cross a special item off my bucket list! After an almost three year wait, I finally saw Hamilton live – but it almost didn’t happen. The first tour of the hit Broadway musical made a stop in Durham in November. However, by the time I realized that I needed to purchase season tickets for the 2017-18 Broadway season to guarantee myself for Hamilton‘s season in 2018-19, they were sold out. I put my name on a wait list and didn’t hear anything for months. That is, until I received an email randomly one day, letting me know that some spots had opened up.

It was only fitting that a song from the musical, called “Wait for It” played as I was listening to music before season tickets went on sale. I knew then and there that I was destined to get them – and I did! But I didn’t just see it once, I saw it twice thanks to a special sale just for season ticket members. Let me tell you, I’m still in disbelief that I saw Hamilton in person. The show surpassed my wildest expectations and the cast was absolutely sensational!

I had to 𝖂𝖆𝖎𝖙 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝕴𝖙, but when the time came I was 𝕹𝖔𝖙 𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝕬𝖜𝖆𝖞 𝕸𝖞 𝕾𝖍𝖔𝖙!